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Trivia: Musical Terms

Subject : trivia
Instructions:
  • Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
  • If you are not ready to take this test, you can study here.
  • Match each statement with the correct term.
  • Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.

This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.
1. A system of notation for stringed instruments. The notes are indicated by the finger positions.






2. A string of chords played in succession.






3. A musical theme given to a particular idea or main character of an opera.






4. A symbol in sheet music that returns a note to its original pitch after it has been augmented or diminished.






5. A repeated phrase.






6. The movement of chords in succession.






7. A drama where the words are sung instead of spoken.






8. Creating variation pitch in a note by quickly alternating between notes.






9. Two notes that differ in name only. The notes occupy the same position.For example: C sharp and D flat.






10. The piece of cane in wind instruments. The players cause vibrations by blowing through it in order to produce sound.






11. Time in music history ranging from the middle of the 16th to the middle of the 17th centuries. Characterized by emotional - flowery music; written in strict form.






12. The highest female voice.






13. A person with notable technical skill in the performance of music.






14. A glissando or portamento. Also refers to the moving part of a trombone.






15. Made up of five horizontal parallel lines and the spaces between them on which musical notation is written.






16. One of the two modes of the tonal system. Music written in major keys have a positive affirming character.






17. Word to indicate the movement or entire composition is to be played very slow and serious.






18. A numeric symbol in sheet music determining the number of beats to a measure.






19. Pertaining to the loudness or softness of a musical composition. Also the symbols in sheet music indicating volume.






20. Group of singers in a chorus.






21. A melodic or - sometimes a harmonic idea presented in a musical form.






22. The frequency of a note determining how high or low it sounds.






23. Unmusical - without tone.






24. Successive notes of a key or mode either ascending or descending.






25. A group singing in unison.






26. The manner in which tones are produced with regard to pitch.






27. A canon where the melody is sung in two or more voices. After the first voice begins - the next voice starts singing after a couple of measures are played in the preceding voice. All parts repeat continuously.






28. An instrumental lament with praise for the dead.






29. When several strings are tuned to harmonically related pitches - all strings vibrate when only one of the strings is struck.






30. A piece of music written in triple time. Also an old French dance.






31. A set of six musicians who perform a composition written for six parts.






32. String instruments that are picked instead of bowed.






33. The keyboard of a stringed instrument.






34. A composition written for a solo instrument. The soloist plays the melody while the orchestra plays the accompaniment.






35. A dirge - hymn - or musical service for the repose of the dead.






36. A dance written in triple time - where the accent falls on the first beat of each measure.






37. Quick repetition of the same note or the rapid alternation between two notes.






38. A short or brief sonata.






39. Direction to performer to play a composition in a brisk - lively - and spirited manner.






40. A symbol used in musical notation indicating to gradually quicken tempo.






41. Word to indicate that the movement or entire composition is to be played grandly.






42. A 19th century square dance written for 4 couples.






43. Primary theme or subject that is developed.






44. A harmonic given off by a note when it is played.






45. Refers to the tuning of an instrument.






46. Three note chords consisting of a root - third - and fifth.






47. One of two or more parts in polyphonic music. Voice refers to instrumental parts as well as the singing voice.






48. A curve over notes to indicate that a phrase is to be played legato.






49. The element of music pertaining to time - played as a grouping of notes into accented and unaccented beats.






50. The structure of a piece of music.